Independence Day and Energy Independence

As we spend time with our families and friends celebrating our nation’s birthday, America’s Power is pausing to think about the future of our energy independence.

Last week, the administration rolled out its plan for the future of energy policy and its implied intent to significantly reduce the supply or reliable and affordable coal-fueled energy is putting our energy independence at risk.

Leaders on both sides of the aisle are standing up to keep coal a part of America’s energy future and help us move towards energy independence.

An “all-of-the-above” approach is essential to helping our country move closer to energy independence.

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH): “America needs an ‘all of the above’ energy vision, not a ‘what President Obama thinks is best for us’ dictate. We should be harvesting and using all of the abundant natural resources our great nation has been blessed with: coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear, hydropower – and we’ll figure out where wind and solar fit into this vision too. We can, and should be, energy independent.” (Op-Ed, Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), “Keep Coal In Energy Mix,” The Intelligencer: Wheeling News-Register, 7/3/13)

Senator Joe Manchin joined Rep. Johnson in his call for an approach that includes all of our resources to achieve energy independence.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV): “Moving forward, achieving true energy independence demands that we not only start realizing the importance that coal has in achieving this goal, it means we must also stop demonizing one resource and start developing a comprehensive plan that utilizes all of our domestic resources – coal, natural gas, biomass, nuclear, wind and solar – so that we can, once and for all, end our dependence on foreign oil within this generation.” (“Achieving Energy Independence,” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Accessed 7/3/13)

We stand with Sen. Manchin and Rep. Johnson in their efforts to move America towards energy independence using all of our available resources.

Mike Duncan is the president and CEO for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the use of coal...
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Jade Davis is the Senior Director of State Affairs and Outreach at ACCCE. In his current role, Jade works with ACCCE’s regional and communications staff and government affairs staff ...
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Darian GhorbiDirector
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Darian Ghorbi is the Director of Policy Analysis at ACCCE. Prior to joining ACCCE, Darian spent five years working for the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Elizabeth JenningsCommunications Specialist

Elizabeth Jennings is ACCCE’s Communications Specialist acting as an integral part of our communications team. She works to expand the reach of our message through traditional and new media platforms....
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The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is committed to the idea that America can have the affordable, reliable electricity we need, with the clean environment we want. ACCCE’s Behind the Plug blog is the place for up-to-date news and analysis on clean coal technology developments and energy policy progress.
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